Battery heat balancing during peak power mode

ABSTRACT

In some examples, a control unit is configured to consider battery heat. The control unit is adapted to provide power from a battery to a system during a peak power mode that includes peak power and off-peak power, and consider heat balance in the battery during the peak power mode by providing peak power so that heat of the battery corresponds to a reference condition heat of the battery.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit ofpriority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/203,302, filed on Nov.28, 2018 and titled “BATTERY HEAT BALANCING DURING PEAK POWER MODE,”which is incorporated by reference in entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to battery heat balancing during peak powermode.

BACKGROUND

A computing system such as a PC (personal computer) or a datacentercomputer (for example, a server computing system) may enhance itsperformance by, instead of or in addition to receiving power from apower supply unit (PSU), extracting current from an attached battery(for example, an attached battery such as a lithium ion or Li-ionbattery). This enhancement of performance by extracting current from anattached battery can be referred to as peak power mode. Peak power modecan provide an ability to go to high power while on battery power orwhile receiving AC power (for example, from a power supply unit), orwhile receiving power from both a battery and from AC power. Forexample, peak power mode may be implemented during times of peak powerneeds of the system.

However, in some cases, the high current used during peak power mode maydamage the battery, and cycle life may be worse than a reference cyclelife. This may cause system manufacturers to refrain from usinghigh-performance peak power modes, leading to a degradation in systemperformance. This can deny users of the system from experiencing thefull potential of the computing system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description may be better understood byreferencing the accompanying drawings, which contain specific examplesof numerous features of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a system in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a graph illustrating cycle test results underreference and peak power mode conditions;

FIG. 4 illustrates battery voltage and current under reference conditionand peak power mode in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a graph illustrating cycle test results underreference and peak power mode conditions;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow implementing battery heat balancing duringpeak power mode in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates a computing system in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates one or more processors and one or more media inaccordance with some embodiments;

In some cases, the same numbers are used throughout the disclosure andthe figures to reference like components and features. In some cases,numbers in the 100 series refer to features originally found in FIG. 1;numbers in the 200 series refer to features originally found in FIG. 2;and so on.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments relate to dynamic battery power techniques. Someembodiments relate to peak power mode. Some embodiments relate tobattery heat balancing during peak power mode (for example, balancing ofthe surface heat of the battery). Some embodiments relate to consideringheat balance in the battery (for example, surface heat of the battery)during peak power mode. Some embodiments relate to battery heatbalancing during a peak power mode that includes peak power and off-peakpower. Some embodiments relate to providing power from a battery to asystem during peak power mode, and considering heat balance in thebattery during the peak power mode by providing peak power based on areference condition heat of the battery over the time period (forexample, based on a reference heat during a reference discharge mode).In some embodiments, peak power mode may be enabled without additionaldegradation in the cycle life as compared with a reference condition.For example, some embodiments relate to extracting current from abattery during peak power mode without additional degradation in thebattery life cycle as compared with a reference condition.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 in accordance with some embodiments. Insome embodiments, system 100 includes a power supply (for example, insome embodiments, a power supply unit). In some embodiments, system 100includes a power supply system (for example, a stationary power supplysystem such as a PC or desktop power supply system, or such as a serverpower supply system). In some embodiments, the power supply unit (PSU)can convert AC power to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internalcomponents of a system such as a computing system 102. In someembodiments, system 100 does not include a power supply unit and ispowered only by battery power.

System 100 includes computing system 102 and a battery pack 104. Batterypack 104 can help provide power to system 102. In some embodiments,battery pack 104 can be a lithium ion battery pack (or Li-ion batterypack). Battery pack can include voltage cell Vcell_1, Vcell_2, Rcell,and other battery resistance Rbat. Battery resistance Rbat can include,for example, resistance Rs1, resistance Rcon, transistor resistance Rf1,transistor resistance Rf2, etc. In some embodiments, computing system102 includes a processor 122 such as, for example, a central processingunit (CPU), platform components 124, platform voltage regulation (VR)126, voltage adjustment 128, and system resistance 130. In someembodiments, platform VR 126 can include a number of voltage regulatorssuch as, for example, voltage regulator (VR) 132 and voltage regulator(VR) 134. Voltage adjustment 128 can be, for example, technology thatcan dynamically adjust the voltage of processor 122. The voltageadjustment can be based on processor activity to reduce processor power.It can allow for higher clock speed at a given power consumption, orlower consumption at a given clock frequency, for example. In someembodiments, system resistance 130 (Rsys) can be illustrated byresistance Rs2 and/or transistor resistance Rf3.

In some embodiments, any of the techniques (for example, dynamic batterypower techniques) as described and/or illustrated herein (such as, forexample, battery heat balancing during peak power mode) may beimplemented using firmware in battery pack 104, power management withinsystem 102, firmware and/or software in system 102, an operating systemrunning on system 102, processor 122 (for example, executing storedinstructions in storage of processor 122, executing stored instructionsstored in other storage or memory of system 102, and/or firmware ofprocessor 122, etc.), and/or some combination thereof.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system 200 in accordance with some embodiments. Insome embodiments, system 200 includes a power supply (for example, insome embodiments, a power supply unit). In some embodiments, system 200includes a power supply system (for example, a stationary power supplysystem such as a PC or desktop power supply system, or such as a serverpower supply system). In some embodiments, the power supply unit (PSU)can convert AC power to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internalcomponents of a system such as a computing system. In some embodiments,system 200 does not include an AC power supply unit and is powered onlyby battery power.

In some embodiments, system 200 includes a battery pack 204, an embeddedcontroller (EC) 206, firmware/software (FW/SW) 208, and a processor (orCPU) and other system components 212. In some embodiments, battery pack104 can be a lithium ion battery pack (or Li-ion battery pack). In someembodiments, battery pack 204 can be the same as or similar as batterypack 104. Battery pack 204 can provide power 222 (for example, includingpower communications and/or control) to EC 206 and/or FW/SW 208, whichcan provide power 224 (for example, including power communicationsand/or control) to the processor and other system components 212. Insome embodiments, battery pack 204 can include a fuel gauge integratedcircuit 242 (fuel gauge IC or FGIC) and a protection integrated circuit244 (protection IC). In some embodiments, the other system componentsincluding in 212 can be, for example, display, modem, and/or othersystem components, etc. In some embodiments, processor and othercomponents 212 can be included in a computing system such as, forexample, computing system 102. In some embodiments, the embeddedcontroller 206 and the firmware/software 208 can be provided in abattery pack (for example, in a battery back such as battery pack 204and/or battery pack 104). In some embodiments, the embedded controller206 and the firmware/software 208 can be included in a same computingsystem as the processor and other components 212, and/or in computingsystem 102. In some embodiments, embedded controller 206 and/orfirmware/software 208 can help implement battery heat balancing duringpeak power mode according to techniques as described and/or illustratedanywhere herein.

In some embodiments, any of the techniques (for example, dynamic batterypower techniques) as described and/or illustrated herein (such as, forexample, battery heat balancing during peak power mode) may beimplemented using firmware in battery pack 204, fuel gauge 242,protection IC 244, embedded controller 206, firmware/software 208, powermanagement within processor and components 212, firmware and/or softwarein 212, an operating system running on 212, CPU/processor 212 (forexample, executing stored instructions in storage of the processor),executing stored instructions stored in other storage or memory within212, and/or firmware of the processor within 212, etc.), and/or somecombination thereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates a graph 300 illustrating cycle test results underreference and peak power mode conditions. Graph 300 includes a referencepower condition graph 302 and a peak power mode condition graph 304. Insome embodiments, graph 300 illustrates battery capacity over timeduring reference discharge conditions (graph 302) and during a peakpower mode (graph 304).

As discussed above, a computing system such as a PC (personal computer)or a datacenter computer (for example, a server computing system) mayenhance its performance by, instead of or in addition to receiving powerfrom a power supply unit (PSU), extracting current from an attachedbattery (for example, an attached battery such as a lithium ion orLi-ion battery). This enhancement of performance by extracting currentfrom an attached battery can be referred to as peak power mode. Forexample, peak power mode may be implemented during times of peak powerneeds of the system.

However, in some cases, the high current used during peak power mode maydamage the battery, and cycle life may be worse than a reference cyclelife. This may cause system manufacturers to refrain from usinghigh-performance peak power modes, leading to a degradation in systemperformance. This can deny users of the system from experiencing thefull potential of the computing system.

Repeated and uncontrolled use of peak currents can reduce the servicelife of a battery. For example, cycle test conditions of reference power302 and peak power mode 304 may be defined as follows, resulting ingraph 300, which illustrates that peak power mode 304 can provide worsecycle life than reference mode 302, even though average current duringthe reference condition and the peak power mode is the same.

For example, in some embodiments, the reference cycle life conditiongraph 302 illustrated in FIG. 3 can be based on a charge of 1C constantcharge (CC), followed by 4.4V constant voltage (CV) until 0.05C cutoff,and discharge of 1C until 3.0V cutoff. The peak power mode cycle lifecondition graph 304 illustrated in FIG. 3 can be based on a charge thatis the same as defined above for the reference cycle life condition, anddischarge of 2.5C for 10 seconds (peak) followed by 0.3C for 21 seconds(it is noted that this equals 1.0C on average), and repeating the 2.5Cand 0.3C discharge until the voltage hits 3.0V and then 1C dischargeuntil 3.0V cutoff. FIG. 3 illustrates the reduction in life cycle usinga peak power mode can reduce the serviceable life perceived by the user.However, in accordance with some embodiments, peak power mode can beenabled without additional cycle life degradation (for example, withoutadditional cycle life degradation perceived by a user) as compared tothe reference condition.

In accordance with some embodiments, heat balance in a battery (forexample, surface heat of the battery) can be considered during peakpower mode. A current and duration of peak power and/or off-peak powercan be defined so that heat from the battery (for example, batterysurface heat) per a particular time period is similar to the referencecondition. This can be defined by Equation 1, as follows:

H(peak power)=H(ref)   EQUATION 1

where H(peak power) is heat from a battery (for example, battery surfaceheat) over a specific time period under peak power mode, and whereH(ref) is heat from the battery (for example, battery surface heat) overa specific time period under a reference condition (for example, is aheat from the battery during a reference discharge mode).

In some embodiments, peak power mode can be implemented according to anyof the exemplary techniques described and/or illustrated herein. In someembodiments, heat balance in a battery is considered during peak powermode, and current and duration of peak power and/or off-peak power aredefined so that heat from the battery per time period is the same with(or similar to) the reference condition (for example, in accordance withEquation 1). In some embodiments, a current and duration of peak powerand/or off-peak power can be defined so that heat from the battery per aparticular time period during a particular time period under the peakpower mode does not exceed (or is less than or equal to) heat from thebattery during a particular time period under the reference condition.That is, in some embodiments, heat balance in a battery is consideredduring peak power mode, and current and duration of peak power and/oroff-peak power are defined so that heat from the battery per time perioddoes not exceed the reference condition (or is less than or equal toheat during the reference condition), for example, in accordance with analternative Equation 1, as follows:

H(peak power)≤H(ref)  Alternative EQUATION 1

FIG. 4 illustrates a graph 400 including battery voltage graph 402 andcurrent graph 404 in accordance with some embodiments. For example,battery voltage 402 and current 404 are shown in accordance with someembodiments under reference condition and under peak power mode. Batteryvoltage graph 402 includes an open circuit voltage (V_(OCV)) 422, avoltage under reference condition (V_(ref)) 424, and a voltage 426 undera peak power mode. Current 404 includes a current under referencecondition (I_(r1)) 444 and a current 446 under a peak power mode.

H(peak power), which is heat under peak power mode, can be calculatedaccording to Equation 2, as follows:

H(peak power)=(V _(OCV) −V _(ON))×I _(p1) ×t _(ON)+(V _(OCV) −V_(OFF))×I _(p2) ×t _(OFF) EQUATION 2

where V_(OCV) is open circuit voltage, I_(p1) is peak current, V_(ON) isbattery voltage during peak current I_(p1), t_(ON) is duration of peakcurrent, I_(p2) is off-peak current, V_(OFF) is battery voltage duringoff-peak current I_(p2), and t_(OFF) is duration of off-peak current.

Since V_(OCV)−V_(ON) is equal to I_(p1)×R (where R is batteryimpedance), and since V_(OCV)−V_(OFF) is equal to I_(p2)×R, H(peakpower) can be described according to Equation 3, as follows:

H(peak power)=I _(p1) ² ×R×t _(ON) +I _(p2) ² ×R×t _(OFF)  EQUATION 3

H(ref) (heat under reference condition) can be calculated according toEquation 4, as follows:

H(ref)=(V _(OCV) −V _(REF))×I _(r1)×(t _(ON) +t _(OFF))  EQUATION 4

where I_(r1) is current under reference condition, and V_(REF) isbattery voltage during current I_(r1) under reference condition.

Since V_(OCV)−V_(REF) equals I_(r1)×R, H(ref) can also be describedaccording to Equation 5, as follows:

H(ref)=I _(r1) ² ×R×(t _(ON) +t _(OFF))  EQUATION 5

In accordance with some embodiments, current and/or duration of peakpower mode may be defined so that the following three Equations 1, 3 and5 are established to result in Equation 6 as follows:

H(peak power)=H(ref)   EQUATION 1

H(peak power)=I _(p1) ² ×R×I _(ON)+I _(p2) ² ×R×I _(OFF)   EQUATION 3

H(ref)=I _(r1) ² ×R×(I _(ON) +I _(OFF))   EQUATION 5

I _(p1) ² ×R×I _(ON)+I_(p2) ² ×R×I _(OFF) =I _(r1) ² ×R×(I_(ON)+I_(OFF))  EQUATION 6

And Equation 6 can be reduced to result in Equation 7, as follows:

I _(p1) ² ×t _(ON) +I _(p2) ² ×t _(OFF) =I _(r1) ²×(t _(ON) +t_(OFF))  EQUATION 7

Five parameters remain in Equation 7, including I_(r1), I_(p1), t_(ON),I_(p2), and t_(OFF). In some embodiments, four of these five parameterscan be defined (for example, by a user). Once four of the parameters aredefined, the fifth parameter can then be determined to maintain heatbalancing in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, ifless than four parameters are defined, possible solutions for two ormore parameters may be determined.

For example, when I_(r1) is 1C, I_(p1) is 2.5C, t_(ON) is 10 seconds,and I_(p2) is 0.3C, t_(OFF) can be calculated using Equation 7 asapproximately 57 seconds (or approximately 57.7 seconds). In thismanner, cycle life under peak power mode can be similar to (and/orbetter than) cycle life of the reference condition (1C) in accordancewith some embodiments.

It is noted that in some embodiments in which current and duration ofpeak power and/or off-peak power can be defined so that heat from thebattery per a particular time period during a particular time periodunder the peak power mode does not exceed (or is less than or equal to)heat from the battery during a particular time period under thereference condition (for example, some embodiments implementingAlternative Equation 1), Alternative Equation 6 and Alternative Equation7 can be implemented, as follows:

I _(p1) ² ×R×I _(ON) +I _(p2) ² ×R×t _(OFF) ≤I _(r1) ² ×R×(I _(ON) +I_(OFF))    Alternative EQUATION 6

I _(p1) ² ×I _(ON) +I _(p2) ²×t_(OFF) ≤I _(r1) ²×(I _(ON) +I _(OFF))   Alternative EQUATION 7

Five parameters remain in Alternative Equation 7, including I_(r1),I_(p1), t_(ON), I_(p2), and t_(OFF). In some embodiments, four of thesefive parameters can be defined (for example, by a user). Once four ofthe parameters are defined, the fifth parameter can then be determinedto maintain heat balancing in accordance with some embodiments. In someembodiments, if less than four parameters are defined, possiblesolutions for two or more parameters may be determined.

For example, when I_(r1) is 1C, I_(p1) is 2.5C, t_(ON) is 10 seconds,and I_(p2) is 0.3C, t_(OFF) can be calculated using Equation 7 as beinggreater than or equal to approximately 57 seconds (or greater than orequal to approximately 57.7 seconds). In this manner, cycle life underpeak power mode can be similar to (and/or better than) cycle life of thereference condition (1C) in accordance with some embodiments.

In some embodiments, a controller or control unit (for example, aprocessor) can be used to limit peak power levels during peak power modeevents (or turbo events). In some embodiments, the peak power levels canbe limited in accordance with any of the techniques and/or Equationsillustrated and/or discussed herein.

Although FIG. 4 illustrates using two currents I_(p1) and I_(p2) at twolevels, it is noted that in some embodiments, more than two currents atmore than two levels may be implemented. In some embodiments, forexample, more than two different currents (for example, more than twodifferent peak power mode currents) may be implemented while consideringbattery heat balance (for example, by balancing battery heat relative toa reference condition). The various levels of peak power current may beimplemented based on needs for peak power (for example, based onprocessor needs for peak power). Some embodiments may include more thanone peak current levels and/or one or more off-peak current levels, forexample, and can include different time durations for each of thecurrents. In some embodiments, a processor may be slowed down in orderto avoid damage to the battery in accordance with techniques describedherein (for example, using battery heat balancing).

FIG. 5 illustrates a graph 500 illustrating cycle test results underreference and peak power mode conditions. Graph 500 includes a referencepower condition graph 502, a peak power mode condition graph 504, and apeak power mode condition graph 506. In some embodiments, graph 500illustrates battery capacity over time during reference dischargeconditions (graph 502), during a first peak power mode (graph 504), andduring a second peak power mode (graph 506). As discussed herein,repeated and uncontrolled use of peak currents can reduce the servicelife of a battery. For example, cycle test conditions of reference power502 and peak power mode 504 may be defined as follows, resulting ingraph 500, which illustrates that peak power mode 504 can provide worsecycle life than reference mode 502, even though average current duringthe reference condition and the peak power mode is the same.

For example, in some embodiments, the reference cycle life conditiongraph 502 illustrated in FIG. 5 can be based on a charge of 1C constantcharge (CC), followed by 4.4V constant voltage (CV) until 0.05C cutoff,and discharge of 1C until 3.0V cutoff. The peak power mode cycle lifecondition graph 504 illustrated in FIG. 5 can be based on a charge thatis the same as defined above for the reference cycle life condition, anddischarge of 2.5C for 10 seconds (peak) followed by 0.3C for 21 seconds(it is noted that this equals 1.0C on average), and repeating the 2.5Cand 0.3C discharge until the voltage hits 3.0V and then 1C dischargeuntil 3.0V cutoff.

FIG. 5 illustrates the reduction in life cycle using a peak power modeas illustrated by graph 504 can reduce the serviceable life perceived bythe user. However, in accordance with some embodiments, peak power modecan be enabled without additional cycle life degradation (for example,without additional cycle life degradation perceived by a user) ascompared to the reference condition. In accordance with someembodiments, heat balance in a battery can be considered during peakpower mode. A current and duration of peak power and/or off-peak powercan be defined so that heat from the battery per a particular timeperiod is similar to the reference condition. For example, peak powermode cycle life condition graph 506 illustrated in FIG. 5 can be basedon using techniques described herein of maintaining heat from thebattery during peak power and/or off-peak power being similar to that ofthe reference condition (for example, using Equation 7 as describedherein). For example, peak power mode cycle life condition graph 506illustrated in FIG. 5 can be based on a charge that is the same asdefined above for the reference cycle life condition, and discharge of2.5C for 10 seconds (peak) followed by 0.3C for 57 seconds, andrepeating the 2.5C and 0.3C discharge until the voltage hits 3.0V andthen 1C discharge until 3.0V cutoff. In this manner, in accordance withsome embodiments, peak power mode can be enabled as illustrated by graph506 without additional cycle life degradation (for example, withoutadditional cycle life degradation perceived by a user) as compared tothe reference condition. In fact, in some embodiments, cycle lifedegradation may actually be slightly improved.

The foregoing examples of peak power mode may be used in accordance withsome embodiments, but it is noted that some actual embodiments may bedifferent. For example, in some embodiments, peak power pulses may beboth aperiodic and of variable magnitude.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow 600 implementing battery heat balancing duringpeak power mode in accordance with some embodiments. In someembodiments, FIG. 6 illustrates a flow 600 implementing battery heatbalancing operating to capture actual peak power pulses that areaperiodic and/or have variable magnitude peaks.

In some embodiments, flow 600 can be implemented in firmware of abattery pack (for example, in firmware of battery back 104 and/or infirmware of battery pack 204). In some embodiments, flow 600 can beimplemented in firmware and/or in an operating system (OS) of acomputing system (for example, in firmware and/or OS of computing system102 or in firmware and/or OS of a system in system 200). In someembodiments, flow 600 can be using embedded controller 206 and/or usingfirmware/software 208. In some embodiments, flow 600 can be implementedusing fuel gauge IC 242 and/or protection IC 244.

In flow 600, battery voltage and/or battery current are read at 602.Generated heat is calculated at 604. At 606, a determination is made asto whether generated heat is smaller than a reference heat (for example,is smaller than an accumulated reference heat). If heat generated is notless than the accumulated reference heat at 606, no increase in peakcurrent and/or peak power is allowed at 608, and flow returns to 602. Ifheat generated is less than the accumulated reference heat at 606,available peak current and/or peak power is calculated at 610 (forexample, in some embodiments, using Equation 7). The new valuecalculated at 610 is then reported (for example, to a processor such asa CPU and/or to a computing system) at 612, and flow returns to 602. Insome embodiments (for example, included in some embodiments of flow 600and in other embodiments), a heat situation (for example, a heatsituation such as a condition where generated heat is not smaller than areference heat) is reported (for example, a heat situation is reportedto a processor such as a CPU and/or to a computing system) in order thatsystem power is capped until accumulated heat (for example, accumulatedbattery heat) falls below a reference threshold level.

In accordance with some embodiments, forced cooling and/or a heatspreader may be applied (for example, during peak power mode) to thebattery to maintain battery temperature or heat balance similar to thatof the battery under the reference condition.

In some embodiments, peak current may be implemented in multiple steps.Many different step variations may be implemented in accordance withsome embodiments. For example, peak 1->peak 2->off-peak->peak1->off-peak->peak 2->off-peak, etc. Although examples have beenillustrated and described herein, many different step variations (and/orvariations between different steps) may be implemented in accordancewith some embodiments.

In some embodiments, heat may be used herein as referring to joule heat.However, in some embodiments, heat by chemical reaction may also beconsidered (either in addition to joule heat or instead of joule heat,for example). For example, in some embodiments, Equation 9 may be used(for example, instead of Equation 1), as follows:

H(peak power)+H(chemical reaction during peak power)=H(ref)+H(chemicalreaction during reference condition)   EQUATION 9

where H(chemical reaction during peak power) is a heat by chemicalreaction during peak power, and H(chemical reaction during referencecondition) is a heat by chemical reaction during reference condition.

It is noted that an alternative Equation 9 may be implemented inaccordance with some embodiments, as follows:

H(peak power)+H(chemical reaction during peak power)≤H(ref)+H(chemicalreaction during reference condition)  Alternative EQUATION 9

In some embodiments, various techniques may be implemented by usersetting (for example, a user determining whether to use joule heat orchemical heat, a user choosing one or more values such as I_(r1),I_(p1), t_(ON), I_(p2), and/or t_(OFF), etc.)

In some embodiments, battery degradation rate by heat may be measured inadvance, heat output associated with allowable degradation may beselected, and another wave form of peak power mode giving the samedegradation of heat may be chosen.

In some embodiments, as a result of heat calculation, if the batterystays within an allowable temperature range, higher peak current may beextracted until battery temperature exceeds an allowable range. Forexample, an Equation such as Equation 10 or Alternative Equation 10, asfollows, may be used (for example, instead of Equation 1 and/or insteadof Alternative Equation 1):

H(peak power)<H(allowable)   EQUATION 10

H(peak power)≤H(allowable)   Alternative EQUATION 10

where H(allowable) is an allowable heat value. The allowable temperaturevalue H(allowable), or allowable temperature range, may be used. It maybe determined by a system manufacturer and stored in a memory or storagespace, for example.

In some embodiments, a relationship between discharge current, batterytemperature rise and/or degradation, etc. may be predetermined.

In some embodiments, any of the techniques described herein may beimplemented by instructions stored in storage or memory as software orfirmware on the system side. In some embodiments, any of the techniquesdescribed herein may be implemented by instructions stored in storage ormemory as software or firmware on the battery pack side (for example, ina fuel gauging IC).

In some embodiments, available peak power and/or peak current may bedetermined based on a battery thermal budget (for example, byconsidering allowable heat as part of a battery thermal budget).

In some embodiments, open circuit voltage (V_(OCV)) may be (but is notlimited to) battery voltage after relaxation (for example, for tens ofseconds or for minutes).

In some embodiments, open circuit voltage (V_(OCV)) may be directlymeasured, or may be modeled, or may be retrieved from a lookup table(for example, a lookup table stored in memory or other storage).

In some embodiments, techniques described herein can be implemented in asystem, memory space of a system, in a controller, in a memory space ofa controller in a system, and/or in a battery pack, for example. In someembodiments, techniques described herein can be implemented in a remotesystem.

In some embodiments, techniques described herein (and/or implemented bya controller described herein) may be implemented by a firmware embeddedsolution, an FPGA, a DSP, a discrete ASIC, and/or a processor, etc.

In some embodiments, a system (for example, system 100 and/or system200) can be one or more of a computing system, a stationary system, adata center system, a server, a car, and/or a system supporting peakpower, etc.

FIG. 7 illustrates a computing system 700 in accordance with someembodiments. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example of a computingdevice 700 in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments,computing device 700 may be a computing device including one or moreelements of system 100 and/or one or more elements of system 200. Forexample, in some embodiments, computing device 700 can implement any ofthe techniques described herein. In some embodiments, one or moreelements of computing device 700 can be the same as or similar to, orincluded in system 100, system 200, battery pack 104, battery pack 204,system 102, voltage adjustment 128, embedded controller 206, processorand computing system components 212, can implement instructions usingfirmware/software 208, etc. In some embodiments, computing device 700can implement flow 600. In some embodiments, computing device 700 mayprovide any techniques or functions illustrated and/or described herein.

In some embodiments, any portion of the flow, circuits or systemsillustrated in any one or more of the figures, and any of theembodiments described herein can be included in or be implemented bycomputing device 700. The computing device 700 may be, for example, acomputing device, a controller, a control unit, an application specificcontroller, and/or an embedded controller, among others.

The computing device 700 may include a processor 702 that is adapted toexecute stored instructions (for example, instructions 703), as well asa memory device 704 (or storage 704) that stores instructions 705 thatare executable by the processor 702. The processor 702 can be a singlecore processor, a multi-core processor, a computing cluster, or anynumber of other configurations. For example, processor 702 can be anIntel® processor such as an Intel® Celeron, Pentium, Core, Core i3, Corei5, or Core i7 processor. In some embodiments, processor 702 can be anIntel® x86 based processor. In some embodiments, processor 702 can be anARM based processor. The memory device 704 can be a memory device or astorage device, and can include volatile storage, non-volatile storage,random access memory, read only memory, flash memory, or any othersuitable memory or storage systems. The instructions that are executedby the processor 602 may also be used to implement any of the techniquesas described in this specification and/or illustrated in the drawings.In some embodiments, processor 702 may include the same or similarfeatures or functionality as, for example, various controllers or agentsin this disclosure.

The processor 702 may also be linked through the system interconnect 706(e.g., PCI®, PCI-Express®, NuBus, etc.) to a display interface 708adapted to connect the computing device 700 to a display device 710. Thedisplay device 710 may include a display controller 730. Display device710 may also include a display screen that is a built-in component ofthe computing device 700. The display device may also include a computermonitor, television, or projector, among others, that is externallyconnected to the computing device 700. In some embodiments, computingdevice 700 does not include a display interface or a display device.

In some embodiments, the display interface 708 can include any suitablegraphics processing unit, transmitter, port, physical interconnect, andthe like. In some examples, the display interface 708 can implement anysuitable protocol for transmitting data to the display device 710. Forexample, the display interface 708 can transmit data using ahigh-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) protocol, a DisplayPortprotocol, or some other protocol or communication link, and the like

In addition, a network interface controller (also referred to herein asa NIC) 712 may be adapted to connect the computing device 700 throughthe system interconnect 706 to a network (not depicted). The network(not depicted) may be a cellular network, a radio network, a wide areanetwork (WAN), a local area network (LAN), or the Internet, amongothers.

The processor 702 may be connected through system interconnect 706 to aninput/output (I/O) device interface 714 adapted to connect the computinghost device 700 to one or more I/O devices 716. The I/O devices 716 mayinclude, for example, a keyboard or a pointing device, where thepointing device may include a touchpad or a touchscreen, among others.The I/O devices 716 may be built-in components of the computing device700, or may be devices that are externally connected to the computingdevice 700.

In some embodiments, the processor 702 may also be linked through thesystem interconnect 706 to a storage device 718 that can include a harddrive, a solid-state drive (SSD), a magnetic drive, an optical drive, aUSB flash drive, an array of drives, or any other type of storage,including combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the storage device718 can include any suitable applications that can be used by processor702 to implement any of the techniques described herein. In someembodiments, storage 718 stores instructions 719 that are executable bythe processor 702. In some embodiments, the storage device 718 caninclude a basic input/output system (BIOS).

In some embodiments, a power device 722 is provided. For example, insome embodiments, power device 722 can provide battery heat balancingduring peak power, or any of the techniques described herein, etc. Insome embodiments, power 722 can include one or more sources of powersupply such as one or more power supply units (PSUs). In someembodiments, power 722 can be a part of system 700, and in someembodiments, power 722 can be external to the rest of system 700. Insome embodiments, power 722 can provide any of the techniques describedherein. For example, in some embodiments, power 722 can provide any ofthe techniques as described in reference to or illustrated in any of thedrawings herein.

FIG. 7 also illustrates system components 724. In some embodiments,system components 724 can include any of display, camera, audio,storage, modem, or memory components, or any additional systemcomponents. In some embodiments, system components 724 can include anysystem components for which power, voltage, power management, etc. canbe implemented according to some embodiments as described herein.

It is to be understood that the block diagram of FIG. 7 is not intendedto indicate that the computing device 700 is to include all of thecomponents shown in FIG. 7 in all embodiments. Rather, the computingdevice 700 can include fewer or additional components not illustrated inFIG. 7 (e.g., additional memory components, embedded controllers,additional modules, additional network interfaces, etc.). Furthermore,any of the functionalities of power device 722 may be partially, orentirely, implemented in hardware or in a processor such as processor702. For example, the functionality may be implemented with anapplication specific integrated circuit, logic implemented in anembedded controller, or in logic implemented in the processor 702, amongothers. In some embodiments, the functionalities of power device 722 canbe implemented with logic, wherein the logic, as referred to herein, caninclude any suitable hardware (e.g., a processor, among others),software (e.g., an application, among others), firmware, or any suitablecombination of hardware, software, or firmware. In some embodiments,power device 722 can be implemented with an integrated circuit.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example of one or more processors 802and one or more tangible, non-transitory computer readable media 800 forpeak power supply support, battery charger termination voltageadjustment, etc. The one or more tangible, non-transitory,computer-readable media 800 may be accessed by the processor(s) 802 overa computer interconnect 804. Furthermore, the one or more tangible,non-transitory, computer-readable media 800 may include instructions (orcode) 806 to direct the processor(s) 802 to perform operations asdescribed herein. In some embodiments, processor 802 is one or moreprocessors. In some embodiments, processor(s) 802 can perform some orall of the same or similar functions that can be performed by otherelements described herein using instructions (code) 806 included onmedia 800 (for example, some or all of the functions or techniquesillustrated in or described in reference to any of FIGS. 1-7). In someembodiments, one or more of processor(s) 802 may include the same orsimilar features or functionality as, for example, various controllers,units, or agents, etc. described in this disclosure. In someembodiments, one or more processor(s) 802, interconnect 804, and/ormedia 800 may be included in computing device 700.

Various components discussed in this specification may be implementedusing software components. These software components may be stored onthe one or more tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media 800,as indicated in FIG. 8. For example, instructions 806 may be adapted todirect the processor(s) 802 to perform one or more of any of theoperations described in this specification and/or in reference to thedrawings.

It is to be understood that any suitable number of software componentsmay be included within the one or more tangible, non-transitorycomputer-readable media 800. Furthermore, any number of additionalsoftware components shown or not shown in FIG. 8 may be included withinthe one or more tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media 800,depending on the specific application.

The various techniques and/or operations described herein (for example,in reference to any one or more of FIGS. 1-8) may be performed by acontrol unit comprised of one or more processors, monitoring logic,control logic, software, firmware, agents, controllers, logical softwareagents, system agents, and/or other modules. For example, in someembodiments, some or all of the techniques and/or operations describedherein may be implemented by a system agent. Due to the variety ofmodules and their configurations that may be used to perform thesefunctions, and their distribution through the system and/or in adifferent system, they are not all specifically illustrated in theirpossible locations in the figures.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or“some embodiments” of the disclosed subject matter means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of thedisclosed subject matter. Thus, the phrase “in one embodiment” or “insome embodiments” may appear in various places throughout thespecification, but the phrase may not necessarily refer to the sameembodiment or embodiments.

Example 1 In some examples, a control unit (for example, a processor) isconfigured to consider battery heat. The control unit is adapted toprovide power from a battery to a system during a peak power mode thatincludes peak power and off-peak power. The control unit is also adaptedto consider heat balance in the battery during the peak power mode byproviding peak power so that heat of the battery corresponds to areference condition heat of the battery.

Example 2 includes the subject matter of example 1. The control unit isadapted to maintain a heat from the battery over the time period underpeak power mode to be the same as or less than a heat from the batteryover the time period under the reference condition.

Example 3 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-2. Thecontrol unit is adapted to maintain a heat from the battery over thetime period under peak power mode to be the same as or less than anallowable heat.

Example 4 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-3. Thecontrol unit is adapted to provide peak current in steps including atleast one peak current and at least one off-peak current.

Example 5 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-4. In Example5, heat from the battery includes a joule heat.

Example 6 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-5. In Example6, heat from the battery includes a heat by chemical reaction.

Example 7 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-6. Thecontrol unit is adapted to calculate available peak current and/oravailable peak power based on a battery thermal budget.

Example 8 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-7. Thecontrol unit is adapted to determine the heat balance based on currentunder reference condition, duration of peak current, duration ofoff-peak current, peak current, and off-peak current.

Example 9 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-8. Thecontrol unit is adapted to provide peak current in steps including atleast two different peak currents.

Example 10 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-9. Thecontrol unit is adapted to provide peak current in steps including atleast two different peak currents and at least two different off-peakcurrents.

Example 11 In some examples, a method can consider battery heat. Themethod can include providing power from a battery to a system during apeak power mode that includes peak power and off-peak power. The methodcan also include considering heat balance in the battery during the peakpower mode by providing peak power so that heat of the batterycorresponds to a reference condition heat of the battery.

Example 12 includes the subject matter of example 11. The methodincludes maintaining a heat from the battery over the time period underpeak power mode to be the same as or less than a heat from the batteryover the time period under the reference condition.

Example 13 includes the subject matter of any of examples 11-12. Themethod includes maintaining a heat from the battery over the time periodunder peak power mode to be the same as or less than an allowable heat.

Example 14 includes the subject matter of any of examples 11-13. Themethod includes providing peak current in steps including at least onepeak current and at least one off-peak current.

Example 15 includes the subject matter of any of examples 11-14. Inexample 15, the heat from the battery includes a joule heat.

Example 16 includes the subject matter of any of examples 11-15. Inexample 16, the heat from the battery includes a heat by chemicalreaction.

Example 17 includes the subject matter of any of examples 11-16. Themethod includes calculating available peak current and/or available peakpower based on a battery thermal budget.

Example 18 includes the subject matter of any of examples 11-17. Themethod includes determining the heat balance based on current underreference condition, duration of peak current, duration of off-peakcurrent, peak current, and off-peak current.

Example 19 includes the subject matter of any of examples 11-18. Themethod includes providing peak current in steps including at least twodifferent peak currents.

Example 20 includes the subject matter of any of examples 11-19. Themethod includes providing peak current in steps including at least twodifferent peak currents and at least two different off-peak currents.

Example 21 In some examples, one or more tangible, non-transitorymachine readable media includes a plurality of instructions that, inresponse to being executed on at least one processor, cause the at leastone processor to provide power from a battery to a system during a peakpower mode that includes peak power and off-peak power, and considerheat balance in the battery during the peak power mode by providing peakpower so that heat of the battery corresponds to a reference conditionheat of the battery.

Example 22 includes the subject matter of example 21. The method one ormore tangible, non-transitory machine readable media includes aplurality of instructions that, in response to being executed on atleast one processor, cause the at least one processor to maintain a heatfrom the battery over the time period under peak power mode to be thesame as or less than a heat from the battery over the time period underthe reference condition.

Example 23 includes the subject matter of any of examples 21-22. The oneor more tangible, non-transitory machine readable media include aplurality of instructions that, in response to being executed on atleast one processor, cause the at least one processor to maintain a heatfrom the battery over the time period under peak power mode to be thesame as or less than an allowable heat.

Example 24 includes the subject matter of any of examples 21-23. The oneor more tangible, non-transitory machine readable media include aplurality of instructions that, in response to being executed on atleast one processor, cause the at least one processor to provide peakcurrent in steps including at least one peak current and at least oneoff-peak current.

Example 25 includes the subject matter of any of examples 21-24. Inexample 25, the heat from the battery includes a joule heat.

Example 26 includes the subject matter of any of examples 21-25. Inexample 26, the heat from the battery includes a heat by chemicalreaction.

Example 27 includes the subject matter of any of examples 21-26. The oneor more tangible, non-transitory machine readable media include aplurality of instructions that, in response to being executed on atleast one processor, cause the at least one processor to calculateavailable peak current and/or available peak power based on a batterythermal budget.

Example 28 includes the subject matter of any of examples 21-27. The oneor more tangible, non-transitory machine readable media include aplurality of instructions that, in response to being executed on atleast one processor, cause the at least one processor to determine theheat balance based on current under reference condition, duration ofpeak current, duration of off-peak current, peak current, and off-peakcurrent.

Example 29 includes the subject matter of any of examples 21-28. The oneor more tangible, non-transitory machine readable media include aplurality of instructions that, in response to being executed on atleast one processor, cause the at least one processor to provide peakcurrent in steps including at least two different peak currents.

Example 30 includes the subject matter of any of examples 21-29. The oneor more tangible, non-transitory machine readable media include aplurality of instructions that, in response to being executed on atleast one processor, cause the at least one processor to provide peakcurrent in steps including at least two different peak currents and atleast two different off-peak currents.

Example 31 In some examples, an apparatus is to consider battery heat.The apparatus includes means for providing power from a battery to asystem during a peak power mode that includes peak power and off-peakpower, and means for considering heat balance in the battery during thepeak power mode by providing peak power so that heat of the batterycorresponds to a reference condition heat of the battery.

Example 32 includes the subject matter of example 31. The apparatusincludes means for maintaining a heat from the battery over the timeperiod under peak power mode to be the same as or less than a heat fromthe battery over the time period under the reference condition.

Example 33 includes the subject matter of any of examples 31-32. Thecontroller includes means for maintaining a heat from the battery overthe time period under peak power mode to be the same as or less than anallowable heat.

Example 34 includes the subject matter of any of examples 31-33. Thecontroller includes means for providing peak current in steps includingat least one peak current and at least one off-peak current.

Example 35 includes the subject matter of any of examples 31-34. Inexample 35, the heat from the battery includes a joule heat.

Example 36 includes the subject matter of any of examples 31-35. Inexample 36, the heat from the battery includes a heat by chemicalreaction.

Example 37 includes the subject matter of any of examples 31-36. Theapparatus includes means for calculating available peak current and/oravailable peak power based on a battery thermal budget.

Example 38 includes the subject matter of any of examples 31-37. Thecontroller includes means for determining the heat balance based oncurrent under reference condition, duration of peak current, duration ofoff-peak current, peak current, and off-peak current.

Example 39 includes the subject matter of any of examples 31-38. Thecontroller includes means for providing peak current in steps includingat least two different peak currents.

Example 40 includes the subject matter of any of examples 31-39. Thecontroller includes means for providing peak current in steps includingat least two different peak currents and at least two different off-peakcurrents.

Example 41 In some examples, a system includes a battery and a controlunit configured to consider battery heat. The control unit is adapted toprovide power from the battery during a peak power mode that includespeak power and off-peak power, and to consider heat balance in thebattery during the peak power mode by providing peak power so that heatof the battery corresponds to a reference condition heat of the battery.

Example 42 includes the subject matter of example 41. The control isadapted to maintain a heat from the battery over the time period underpeak power mode to be the same as or less than a heat from the batteryover the time period under the reference condition.

Example 43 includes the subject matter of any of examples 41-42. Thecontrol is adapted to maintain a heat from the battery over the timeperiod under peak power mode to be the same as or less than an allowableheat.

Example 44 includes the subject matter of any of examples 41-43. Thecontrol is adapted to provide peak current in steps including at leastone peak current and at least one off-peak current.

Example 45 includes the subject matter of any of examples 41-44. Inexample 45, the heat from the battery includes a joule heat.

Example 46 includes the subject matter of any of examples 41-45. Inexample 46, the heat from the battery includes a heat by chemicalreaction.

Example 47 includes the subject matter of any of examples 41-46. Thecontrol is adapted to calculate available peak current and/or availablepeak power based on a battery thermal budget.

Example 48 includes the subject matter of any of examples 41-47. Thecontrol is adapted to determine the heat balance based on current underreference condition, duration of peak current, duration of off-peakcurrent, peak current, and off-peak current.

Example 49 includes the subject matter of any of examples 41-48. Thecontrol is adapted to provide peak current in steps including at leasttwo different peak currents.

Example 50 includes the subject matter of any of examples 41-49. Thecontrol is adapted to provide peak current in steps including at leasttwo different peak currents and at least two different off-peakcurrents.

Example 51 includes the subject matter of any of examples 41-50. Thesystem includes means to perform a method as in any other example.

Example 52 In some examples, an apparatus includes means to perform amethod as in any other example.

Example 53 In some examples, machine-readable storage includesmachine-readable instructions, when executed, to implement a method orrealize an apparatus as in any other example.

Example 54 In some examples, one or more machine readable mediuminclude(s) code, when executed, to cause a machine to perform the methodof any other example.

Although example embodiments and examples of the disclosed subjectmatter are described with reference to circuit diagrams, flow diagrams,block diagrams etc. in the drawings, persons of ordinary skill in theart will readily appreciate that many other ways of implementing thedisclosed subject matter may alternatively be used. For example, thearrangements of the elements in the diagrams, or the order of executionof the blocks in the diagrams may be changed, or some of the circuitelements in circuit diagrams, and blocks in block/flow diagramsdescribed may be changed, eliminated, or combined. Any elements asillustrated or described may be changed, eliminated, or combined.

In the preceding description, various aspects of the disclosed subjectmatter have been described. For purposes of explanation, specificnumbers, systems and configurations were set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the subject matter. However, it is apparent toone skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that thesubject matter may be practiced without the specific details. In otherinstances, well-known features, components, or modules were omitted,simplified, combined, or split in order not to obscure the disclosedsubject matter.

Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be implementedin hardware, firmware, software, or combination thereof, and may bedescribed by reference to or in conjunction with program code, such asinstructions, functions, procedures, data structures, logic, applicationprograms, design representations or formats for simulation, emulation,and fabrication of a design, which when accessed by a machine results inthe machine performing tasks, defining abstract data types or low-levelhardware contexts, or producing a result.

Program code may represent hardware using a hardware descriptionlanguage or another functional description language which essentiallyprovides a model of how designed hardware is expected to perform.Program code may be assembly or machine language or hardware-definitionlanguages, or data that may be compiled or interpreted. Furthermore, itis common in the art to speak of software, in one form or another astaking an action or causing a result. Such expressions are merely ashorthand way of stating execution of program code by a processingsystem which causes a processor to perform an action or produce aresult.

Program code may be stored in, for example, one or more volatile ornon-volatile memory devices, such as storage devices or an associatedmachine readable or machine accessible medium including solid-statememory, hard-drives, floppy-disks, optical storage, tapes, flash memory,memory sticks, digital video disks, digital versatile discs (DVDs),etc., as well as more exotic mediums such as machine-accessiblebiological state preserving storage. A machine readable medium mayinclude any tangible mechanism for storing, transmitting, or receivinginformation in a form readable by a machine, such as antennas, opticalfibers, communication interfaces, etc. Program code may be transmittedin the form of packets, serial data, parallel data, etc., and may beused in a compressed or encrypted format.

Program code may be implemented in programs executing on programmablemachines such as mobile or stationary computers, personal digitalassistants, set top boxes, cellular telephones and pagers, and otherelectronic devices, each including a processor, volatile or non-volatilememory readable by the processor, at least one input device or one ormore output devices. Program code may be applied to the data enteredusing the input device to perform the described embodiments and togenerate output information. The output information may be applied toone or more output devices. One of ordinary skill in the art mayappreciate that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with various computer system configurations, includingmultiprocessor or multiple-core processor systems, minicomputers,mainframe computers, as well as pervasive or miniature computers orprocessors that may be embedded into virtually any device. Embodimentsof the disclosed subject matter can also be practiced in distributedcomputing environments where tasks may be performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network.

Although operations may be described as a sequential process, some ofthe operations may in fact be performed in parallel, concurrently, or ina distributed environment, and with program code stored locally orremotely for access by single or multi-processor machines. In addition,in some embodiments the order of operations may be rearranged withoutdeparting from the spirit of the disclosed subject matter. Program codemay be used by or in conjunction with embedded controllers.

While the disclosed subject matter has been described with reference toillustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to beconstrued in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrativeembodiments, as well as other embodiments of the subject matter, whichare apparent to persons skilled in the art to which the disclosedsubject matter pertains are deemed to lie within the scope of thedisclosed subject matter. For example, in each illustrated embodimentand each described embodiment, it is to be understood that the diagramsof the figures and the description herein is not intended to indicatethat the illustrated or described devices include all of the componentsshown in a particular figure or described in reference to a particularfigure. In addition, each element may be implemented with logic, whereinthe logic, as referred to herein, can include any suitable hardware(e.g., a processor, among others), software (e.g., an application, amongothers), firmware, or any suitable combination of hardware, software,and firmware, for example.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a battery; and a fuelgauge integrated circuit coupled to the battery, wherein the fuel gaugeintegrated circuit is to: control power from the battery to a systemduring a peak power mode that includes peak power and off-peak power;and apply heat balance in the battery during the peak power mode byproviding peak power so that heat of the battery is same as or less thana reference condition heat of the battery, wherein degradation tobattery life of the battery is substantially halted by an application ofheat balance relative to the reference condition heat of the battery. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the battery continues to provide powerto the system during application of heat balance in the peak power mode.3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel gauge integrated circuitis to maintain a heat from the battery over a time period under peakpower mode to be same as or less than a heat from the battery over thetime period under the reference condition heat.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the fuel gauge integrated circuit is to maintain a heatfrom the battery over a time period under peak power mode to be same asor less than an allowable heat.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefuel gauge integrated circuit is to provide peak current in stepsincluding at least one peak current and at least one off-peak current.6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat from the battery includesa joule heat.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel gaugeintegrated circuit is to calculate available peak current and/oravailable peak power based on a battery thermal budget.
 8. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the fuel gauge integrated circuit is to determinethe heat balance based on current under reference condition, duration ofpeak current, duration of off-peak current, peak current, and off-peakcurrent.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel gauge integratedcircuit is to provide peak current in phases including at least twodifferent peak currents.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thereference condition heat of the battery is the heat from the batteryduring a reference discharge mode.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe fuel gauge integrated circuit is to provide peak current in stepsincluding at least two different peak currents and at least twodifferent off-peak currents.
 12. A system comprising: a memory to storeone or more instructions; a processor circuitry to execute the one ormore instructions; a voltage regulator coupled to the processorcircuitry; a battery pack coupled to the voltage regulator; a controllercircuitry coupled to the battery pack, wherein the battery packincludes: a battery; and a fuel gauge integrated circuit coupled to thebattery, wherein the fuel gauge integrated circuit is to: control powerfrom the battery to a system during a peak power mode that includes peakpower and off-peak power; and apply heat balance in the battery duringthe peak power mode by providing peak power so that heat of the batteryis same as or less than a reference condition heat of the battery,wherein degradation to battery life of the battery is substantiallyhalted by an application of heat balance relative to the referencecondition heat of the battery.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein thebattery continues to provide power to the system during application ofheat balance in the peak power mode.
 14. The system of claim 12, whereinthe fuel gauge integrated circuit is to maintain a heat from the batteryover a time period under peak power mode to be same as or less than aheat from the battery over the time period under the reference conditionheat.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the fuel gauge integratedcircuit is to maintain a heat from the battery over a time period underpeak power mode to be same as or less than an allowable heat.
 16. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the fuel gauge integrated circuit is toprovide peak current in steps including at least one peak current and atleast one off-peak current.
 17. The system of claim 12, wherein the heatfrom the battery includes a joule heat.
 18. The system of claim 12,wherein the fuel gauge integrated circuit is to calculate available peakcurrent and/or available peak power based on a battery thermal budget.19. One or more machine-readable media comprising a plurality ofinstructions that, in response to being executed on at least oneprocessor, cause the at least one processor to: control power from abattery to a system during a peak power mode that includes peak powerand off-peak power; and apply heat balance in the battery during thepeak power mode by providing peak power so that heat of the battery issame as or less than a reference condition heat of the battery, whereindegradation to battery life of the battery is substantially halted by aapplication of heat balance relative to the reference condition heat ofthe battery.
 20. The one or more machine-readable media of claim 19comprising a plurality of instructions that, in response to beingexecuted on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:cause the battery to continue to provide power to the system duringapplication of heat balance in the peak power mode.